Cricket

South Africa's narrow defeat in the second ODI against India has instilled immense confidence in the team, according to Marizanne Kapp. Despite falling short by just four runs, the Proteas displayed a fighting spirit that bodes well for their future prospects, particularly with the 50-over World Cup in India next year.After a shaky start, losing three wickets for 67 runs, South Africa rallied behind Laura Wolvaardt's unbeaten 134 and Kapp's crucial contribution. The duo forged a 184-run partnership, bringing the Proteas within striking distance of the 325-run target."To get that close is obviously a massive confidence booster," said Kapp. "We know we can reach that total."Kapp highlighted the team's intent to play an aggressive brand of cricket, a departure from their previous performance in the series opener. "We had a meeting with the batting coach after our first ODI," she explained. "He said that if we had scored 100 in 20 overs in that ODI, he would have been happy even if we got bowled out."During the chase, Wolvaardt surpassed 4000 ODI runs, becoming South Africa's highest run-getter in the format. Kapp also reached the 3000-run mark, solidifying her status as one of the team's most prolific batters.Kapp's batting has flourished in recent months, with two centuries and four half-centuries in her last 15 innings. She attributes her success to a positive mindset and a natural partnership with Wolvaardt."The way my batting has gone in the last couple of years, I have been striking at close to 100," said Kapp. "I have found that if I am being positive, I usually score runs more often than not."Despite the narrow defeat, Kapp believes that games like these bring out the best in her and Wolvaardt. "I pride myself in performing in those situations," she said. "Wolfie and I, we enjoy that."

India's journey in the Super 8 stage of the tournament, where they aim to secure a semifinal berth, is fraught with challenges. Afghanistan, a formidable T20 side, has demonstrated their prowess in recent matches. Despite their defeat against the hosts, West Indies, they possess the ability to regroup swiftly and pose a significant threat in the qualifiers. Bangladesh, too, has given India a run for their money, particularly in the white-ball format, and will be eager to prove their mettle once again.India recognizes the arduous task ahead of them in securing a top-two finish in their group. Australia, a formidable opponent in all formats of the game, raises their level of play when facing India. They are aware of India's lingering disappointment after their defeat in last year's World Cup final and will be determined to exact revenge.India's batting lineup has yet to fully ignite, with only Rishabh Pant delivering consistent performances. The team has played three of their four matches on a challenging pitch in New York and faced a washout in Florida. Barbados, renowned for producing legendary cricketers, will provide a different playing surface and serve as an inspiration for India to showcase their top-quality cricket. Earning the appreciation of the Barbados crowd is akin to winning a rare prize. Playing here will also offer India valuable insights into the pitch conditions should they reach the final.The match will be a battle of wits between the spin magicians of Afghanistan and India's formidable batting lineup. Afghanistan will miss the services of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, a rare spinner who excels in the PowerPlay. However, with Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad in their ranks, they remain confident in their ability to restrict India to a manageable score. India may consider introducing the left-arm wrist spin of Kuldeep Yadav, although they are likely to field an unchanged playing eleven.The bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and ably supported by Arshdeep Singh, can extract bounce from the pitch if it is firm and hard. Hardik Pandya has bowled exceptionally well, effectively utilizing the bouncer. With Suryakumar Yadav finding form in the match against USA, the middle order concerns have been largely alleviated. Shivam Dube has also demonstrated a keen understanding of the game situation and the ability to bide his time on the unpredictable New York pitch.Predicting the outcome of a T20 match is never easy, especially against Afghanistan, whose players have extensive experience in T20 leagues worldwide. The team that maintains composure and executes their plans effectively will emerge victorious.

Australia, the reigning T20 World Cup champions, will face Bangladesh in the Super Eight stage of the tournament. The match will be a significant test for both teams, as Australia aims to continue their dominance while Bangladesh seeks to upset the odds.Australia has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, winning all five of their group stage matches. Their batting lineup has been particularly strong, with Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, and Travis Head all contributing significant runs. The bowling attack has also been impressive, led by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Adam Zampa.Bangladesh, on the other hand, has had a more challenging tournament. They lost their opening match to South Africa but recovered to win their next two matches and qualify for the Super Eight. Their batting has been inconsistent, with only Shakib Al Hasan scoring a half-century so far. However, their bowling attack has been impressive, with Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed leading the way.The match between Australia and Bangladesh is likely to be a close contest. Australia will be the favorites, but Bangladesh has the potential to cause an upset. The key for Bangladesh will be to find a way to contain Australia's powerful batting lineup. If they can do that, they will have a chance to pull off a surprise victory.

Former Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has hailed India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's remarkable comeback from a severe accident, calling it an inspiration for future generations.Akram, in an interview with Sportskeeda, expressed his admiration for Pant's resilience and determination. "The kind of performance Pant is giving after that accident, he is proving he is a super human," Akram said. "We were all worried in Pakistan [after the accident]. I was worried, actually."Pant's return to form has been nothing short of extraordinary. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he averaged 40 with a strike rate of 155. In the ongoing T20 World Cup, he is the leading run-scorer for Team India, with 96 runs in three innings.Akram also praised Pant's achievements in Test cricket, highlighting his significant innings against Australia and England. "The way he performed in Test cricket, scoring a hundred in Australia and then batting against England, reverse sweeping [James] Anderson and [Pat] Cummins, he is special," Akram said.Beyond his cricketing abilities, Akram believes Pant's story is a powerful example of resilience and mental strength. "Especially what he has been through in that horrific accident and then making a comeback, it shows how mentally strong he is," Akram said. "That's a story to be told for generations to generations to motivate young people of the world."Akram also echoed former India captain Sourav Ganguly's view of Pant as a natural leader. "I agree with Ganguly that Pant is a natural, instinctive captain who takes decisions according to the situation, which is very important in T20 cricket," Akram said. "You can't plan everything in advance, you have to adapt to the situation. That's where I think Pant is good at."Pant's remarkable comeback and his potential as a leader have made him a beacon of hope for Indian cricket. His story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human being and an inspiration for generations to come.

The ICC's partnership with UNICEF to empower girls through cricket faces a stark contrast with the Taliban's suppression of women's rights in Afghanistan. While the Afghanistan men's cricket team has achieved remarkable success, the country's women are denied basic freedoms.The ICC's dilemma lies in balancing its commitment to gender equality with the potential consequences of banning Afghanistan for violating its charter. The Taliban's allowance of men's cricket is a calculated move to appease Pakhtun men, a source of their power.However, the Taliban's sensitivity to international perception suggests that cricket embargos could have an impact. By turning its back on the Afghanistan men's team, the ICC would not only punish the players but also send a strong message to the Taliban.The situation echoes the Apartheid era in South Africa, where many talented cricketers were denied international careers due to the racist policies of the government. While the role of cricket in the fall of Apartheid is debatable, it undoubtedly contributed to the pressure on the regime.Today, South Africa faces challenges in implementing transformation targets in its sports teams, highlighting the ongoing tensions between politics and sport. The Afghanistan situation presents a similar dilemma, where a response must be both effective and politically feasible.As consumers of the sport, we have a responsibility to inform the direction taken by governing bodies. By understanding the complexities of the situation, we can contribute to a solution that balances the pursuit of gender equality with the potential consequences for the Afghanistan men's cricket team.

ENG vs WI Live Score: West Indies' Stellar Performance and England's Redemption QuestThe highly anticipated Super Eight clash between England and West Indies promises to be a thrilling encounter at the T20 World Cup. Both teams are vying for an unprecedented third title, and the match is expected to be a high-scoring affair given the flat pitches and short boundaries at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.West Indies have been in impressive form, winning eight consecutive matches. Their batters have taken responsibility, with Shane Rutherford and Nicholas Pooran leading the charge. Their bowlers have also performed admirably, keeping the opposition in check.England, on the other hand, had a shaky group stage, relying on Australia's help to qualify for the Super Eight. However, they have the opportunity to start afresh and prove their mettle against a formidable West Indies side.The West Indies will rely on their left-arm spin duo of Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Moti to counter England's predominantly right-handed batting lineup. Obed McCoy's left-arm medium pace will also be crucial, as the extra bounce on the pitch provides an advantage for the quicks.England will need their batters to negotiate the cross winds that can send balls flying unexpectedly for six. Jos Buttler and his men will also need to be wary of the West Indies' spin attack, which has been effective in the tournament so far.The match promises to be a close contest between two evenly matched teams. West Indies will be keen to continue their winning streak, while England will be determined to redeem themselves after a disappointing group stage.

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews' absence due to illness has dealt a significant blow to the team's hopes of salvaging the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Matthews, who missed the second ODI in Hambantota, will also sit out the third and final match on June 21.Matthews' absence is a major setback for West Indies, who have already conceded the series 2-0. The 24-year-old all-rounder has been a key figure for the team in recent years, leading them to the semi-finals of the 2022 Women's World Cup.In the nine ODIs she has played since the start of 2023, Matthews has scored 519 runs at an average of 74.14, including three centuries. She has also taken 11 wickets, the joint-highest with Afy Fletcher.Matthews' absence will be particularly felt in the batting department, where West Indies have struggled in the series so far. In the second ODI, they were bowled out for just 92 runs, their lowest total in ODIs since 2019.Shemaine Campbelle, who led the team in Matthews' absence in the second ODI, is likely to continue as captain for the third match. However, West Indies will need to find a way to replace Matthews' all-round contributions if they are to avoid a whitewash.Cricket West Indies (CWI) has expressed hope that Matthews will recover in time for the three-match T20I series, which begins on June 24 at the same venue.

As the current Indian leadership group approaches the end of its tenure, it's time to reflect on their legacy. Their most significant contribution has been the transformation of India's limited-overs batting approach. Virat Kohli, for instance, has evolved into a formidable T20 batter while maintaining his ODI prowess.However, in India, legacy is often measured by ICC trophies. Unfortunately, this remains the yardstick for a team that has consistently ranked among the best. Ironically, while Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma's tenure has been marked by an aggressive batting philosophy, their legacy of pushing the boundaries has taken a back seat.Two of India's most explosive hitters, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, have been forced to adopt a more conservative approach, akin to the middle overs of an ODI. "We've pushed the needle forward in terms of our batting," Dravid acknowledged. "But we also need to be mindful of conditions."In T20 cricket, the batters' approach plays a crucial role, and it varies depending on the conditions. The unpredictability of new conditions in the West Indies will pose a challenge for India in the Super Eight."We feel we've got the experience and knowledge to counteract different situations," Dravid said. "We're looking at past games, scores, swing, turn, and bounce."However, Dravid emphasized the importance of adaptability. "Conditions can be very different to what you think it is," he said. "We will have to be quick and smart in assessing the conditions."One subtle but noticeable change in India's approach has been their willingness to adjust down rather than up. The top order, particularly Kohli, has shown faith in the batters to follow. This approach, combined with courage and indifference towards the end result, could prove beneficial for India in the T20 knockouts.

India's women's cricket team survived a thrilling encounter against South Africa in the second ODI at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday. After posting a mammoth 326-run target, India held on to a four-run victory, taking a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur were the stars of the Indian batting innings. Mandhana smashed a career-best 136 off 120 deliveries, while Kaur remained unbeaten on 103 from 88 balls. The duo shared a 184-run partnership for the third wicket, laying the foundation for India's imposing total.South Africa's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost three wickets for 67 runs. However, a brilliant 184-run partnership between Laura Wolvaardt (135 not out) and Marizanne Kapp (114) brought the visitors back into contention.With just 11 runs needed off the final over, South Africa seemed poised for victory. But Pooja Vastrakar, who was entrusted with the responsibility of bowling the last over, held her nerve. She dismissed Nadine de Klerk and Nondumiso Shangase off consecutive deliveries, leaving Wolvaardt stranded at the other end.Debutant Arundhati Reddy, who replaced Renuka Singh in the Indian lineup, played a crucial role with the ball. She bowled a tight first spell and picked up the key wicket of Wolvaardt in the 15th over.India's victory was marred by some sloppy fielding, as they dropped three catches and missed two run-outs. However, their bowlers managed to restrict South Africa to 322 runs, securing a hard-fought win.